2012 will go down in history as having the worst October for car sales in an election year, since any dealer began keeping records. “It’s all about replacement business,” reports one dealer, “car accidents, lease end terminations, fleet aging out of responsible service costs.” For many consumers the sparring political candidates has only served to add frustration and malaise to the already tight economic news. Meanwhile car makers and dealerships lack of new model 2013 inventory is putting orders in the future delivery bank, but no money in the till. Add to this dilemma Hurricane Sandy waging destruction on the east coast, while furthering the economic damage to a slow month by driving consumers away on the final days of the car sales month, typically a critical closing opportunity as automobile manufacturer’s change rebates each month according to the turn-over of inventory. Consumer confidence is really the key to a strong uptick in new car sales from one model year close-out to the new styles, yet the car makers seem to be holding back on production based on weak commitments from dealerships across the country. Dealers, buyers and manufacturers seem to be waiting on an election that promises to do little to the economy, immediately. The entire car buying situation could break wide open in a week’s time, dealers project hopefully. Some point to the fact they will get back the valuable airtime to run ads bumped by the candidates, while others believe the “business as usual” will rest the fear of drastic changes to their household budget. ” The amount of pent-up demand is palpable, and no matter who wins the presidential election, people still need cars,” said Jim Mooradian, General Manager of Gaudin Motor Company, “the next few months are all about used inventory which comes from trade-ins, so having new cars on the lots will satisfy every level of car buyer. Auto loan credit is available, so the first order of business after the election is to turn shoppers into buyers with strong rebates, incentives and good trade values as we make the big push for the last two months of the year.” —————————————————————————————————————————————– ]]>